I have another Roth IRA but can't touch it until 59.5 years old.Problem: How to buy rental properties until retirement?

You will need the REP status, however, if you are looking to offset "earned income" (w2).I actually heard a cool way that one investor is able to offset "portfolio income" (stocks and crypto) via a backdoor IRA.

Look up Quest Trust... they are a local SD IRA company. 

The investment funds came from a self-directed IRA so the partner is not a person, but an IRA account.

Is it smart to make sure to dedicate consistent $ to a Roth IRA before investing in real estate, or is it better to put all of that money into the RE market to get started?

We currently have:W2 income with 401k  & live in CA Slow Live in flip in CA that will  done in about a year Sole Proprietorship in CA-very small side hustle but went legit as it is growing (hope to open a self directed IRA next year) Rental properties in NM Vacant improved land to develop in NM-in the next few years Plans  to purchase additional rentals in the next few years in yet another state-undecided where. 

The ideal scenario is that the contributions and growth in the account will be accessed tax-free, similar to a Roth IRA/401K.  

Regardless of the actual numbers, I think millennial home ownership is probably alive and well in ol’ Decatur, as starter-home barrier to entry is under 10k.The Wall Street Journal writer then suggests that we “consider” a Roth IRA.

@Adrien CaneryYoung with money... .make sure to max out roth ira and let money compound til retirement!

Using your self-directed IRA for private lending does have tax advantages.